Recovering from a Neck Lift Procedure

02 April 2014

Dr. Nidal (Nick) Masri

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Before we talk about recovery, let’s take moment to review the neck lift procedure. A neck lift is a surgical procedure done for cosmetic purposes to improve the shape and texture of the neck. The surgery can be done in a variety of ways depending on your particular situation and the condition

of your neck. Some things that will be taken into account are skin elasticity and the presence or absence of fatty tissue in the neck region. Also important to consider is the degree of sedation that is used for your particular procedure. A neck lift can be done with local anesthesia and light sedatives, or it can be done using general anesthesia. This choice is made based on surgeon recommendations, and his or her preferences. Once these parts of the treatment plan have been established, you can begin preparing for the day of operation.

It is important to come prepared to your surgical procedure with someone to drive you home. You will be sedated during the procedure and this prevents you from driving yourself home.

Once you arrive home after your neck lift, you will want your house, cabinets, freezer, etc. fully prepared for your recovery. Here are some helpful tips to assist you in the preparation:

During recovery, you will be asked to continue to apply cold compresses to the surgical sites in order to minimize swelling. It would be a good idea to have a couple soft-textured ice packs ready to go in the freezer upon your arrival.

It is acceptable and common to have slight bleeding from the incisions made during a neck lift. Therefore, you should be prepared with a few gauze pads or towels if you need to dab the areas to clean away the small amounts of blood.

Recognizing signs of infection is crucial during the recovery phase of a neck lift. A thermometer should be handy just in case signs of infection start to appear. If you are super-organized, you could even monitor your temperature twice a day since sometimes a fever can be masked or confused for other things.

The appropriate clothing should be easy to find during the first few days of recovery. You will want to wear loose fitting clothing, and shirts that do not “hug” the neck area. You should try to have a few shirts that fasten in the front rather than go over the head to avoid creating irritation or strain at the incision sites.

Be sure to rest for at least the first 24 hours after surgery. You should not be moving about or doing household chores during the first day after your neck lift. Have someone with you during this time to assist you with your personal needs and arrange for childcare and/or pet care if required.

One final important note: When you are recovering from a neck lift, give yourself permission to relax and be comfortable. You should not expect to return to work for a couple weeks, so take it easy while your body is healing. Once you have established a comfortable resting place, prepare yourself by having a telephone within an arm´s reach.

Be prepared, and you will ensure that your recovery from the neck lift will go as smoothly as possible.